37 - THE NATURE OF SATAN
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, who didst weaken the nations! Isaiah 14:12
INTRODUCTION
Week after week a man stood up to pray at his church’s prayer meeting. Typically, he closed his prayer with the phrase "and clean all the cobwebs out of my life." After listening to this man’s continual request, the night came when a friend petitioned, "Lord, kill the spider instead!"
How often do we find ourselves dealing with "cobwebs" while ignoring the "spider" in our lives? Our main adversary is greater than a spider; it is Satan. Just as soldiers going into battle are instructed about their enemy, so we need to know about our enemy. The problem is that, we live in a culture filled with fairy tales or false information about the devil. If we were to ask a dozen different people what they thought about the devil, we may get a dozen different answers.
During the Middle Ages, people enjoyed religious plays for entertainment. Over the years the devil was played by one dressed in a red suit with horns and a pitchfork. Even today people think the devil is evil-looking. When portrayed in movies, he has a sinister appearance.
Because of the recent increasing interest in the occult movies have made Satan a box office attraction. Also, we see a growing cult of Satan worshipers. People are prepared to give Satan control over their lives to a greater or lesser degree. The interest and influence of Satan is growing from such simple things as a Ouija board or astrological chart, to witches’ covens and stores that sell artifacts that relate to satanism.
Another group denies the existence of Satan completely. Someone noted that the Christian Science church takes the ’d’ out of devil, making it evil. Also, certain factions of liberal Christianity deny the supernatural aspect of the devil, while others recognize the existence of Satan but deny his power Since secrecy is one of the characteristics of Satan, it is understandable why so many Christians are deceived concerning his nature and work. Satan has blinded them about it. He is most effective when he keeps himself hidden from public sight. THE PERSONALITY OF SATAN The devil is a real person. Originally, he was created as one of God’s angels, possessing all the attributes of angels. Even after his rebellion and fall, Satan remained a person. He is identified in Scripture by personal pronouns and he is involved in various activities belonging only to persons. Those who deny the existence of a personal devil have no biblical basis upon which to base their conclusions.
God does not deny the personality of Satan. When Satan appeared with the angels, "The Lord said unto Satan, hast thou considered my servant Job . . .?" (Job 1:8, italics added). Later in the story, the Bible notes, "Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord" (Job 2:1, italics added). In Zechariah’s vision of the high priest’s meeting with Satan, "The Lord said unto Satan, the Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee" (Zechariah 3:2, italics added). When tempted by Satan, Jesus five times used personal pronouns in his conversation with Satan (Matthew 4:7, Matthew 4:10).
Satan demonstrates intellectual ability, emotions, and an active will. His intelligence is reflected in his ability to memorize Scripture. When he tempted Jesus (Matthew 4:6), he cited an obscure verse out of context (Psalms 91:11-12) to give authority to his temptation. His superior intellect is further-demonstrated by his ability to organize in excess of 100 million angels under him. The Bible also portrays the devil’s temptations in terms like "wiles" (Ephesians 6:11), "depths" (Revelation 2:24), and "devices" (2 Corinthians 2:11).
Jesus warned Peter of the emotional side of Satan when he told him, "Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat" (Luke 22:31). James identified fear as part of the emotional experience of all fallen angels (James 2:19). They also have the sensation of pain, because they will someday "be tormented day and night for ever and ever" (Revelation 20:10).
It is the will of Satan that best characterizes Satan. Isaiah cited the fall of Satan coming as a result of his attempt to take the place of God in heaven. Satan revealed his selfish nature in the exclamation "I will" five times (Isaiah 14:12-15). The apostle Paul also identified pride as the sin of Satan (1 Timothy 3:6).
Satan is identified as performing acts normally ascribed to persons. Satan had the power of word selection and use as he tempted both Eve (Genesis 3:1-6) and Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11). He is currently accusing the brethren "before our God day and night" (Revelation 12:10). On at least two occasions, Satan is engaged in battle (Revelation 17:17; Revelation 20:8-9). When Moses appeared before Pharaoh, Satan demonstrated limited power to perform some miracles when he turned the Egyptian magicians’ rods into serpents (Exodus 7:12). THE ORIGIN OF SATAN
God could not have created anything evil. Originally, man was created in the image and likeness of God but fell into sin when Adam exercised his will in rebellion against God. Satan also was originally created as a being with the power of personality and the freedom of choice. He was an angel with apparent honor and leadership in heaven. When Satan-, pride blinded him and led him to exercise his will in rebellion against God, he was cast out of heaven (Isaiah 14:12, Isaiah 14:15) THE FALL OF SATAN (Isaiah 14:12-15)
I Will... Take Gods place Ascend into heaven Acts 1:9-11 Exalt my throne Revelation 22:1 Govern heaven Isaiah 2:1-4 Ascend above the heights Php 2:9 Be like the Most HighGenesis 14:19, Genesis 14:22 "Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. "
Ascend into heaven. The ultimate desire of Satan was to take; God’s place. Lucifer’s first attempt involved his ascent into the abode of God. The Bible identifies three heavens. The first heaven is the sky surrounding our planet, the atmosphere. The second heaven is the stellar heaven which is apparently the abode of angels. The third heaven is the dwelling place of God. When Lucifer determined to ascend into heaven, he sought to move into the third heaven, the dwelling place of God. Satan wanted to ascend above the position and place where he was created and assume the place of his Creator.
Exalt his throne. Satan sought authority over the other angels. Satan wanted to be exalted above the stars. The term "star" is often used in the Bible to identify angels (Revelation 1:20; Revelation 12:4). Some commentators believe Satan ruled the angels as an archangel along with Michael and Gabriel. If this were the case, Satan then sought to expand his sphere of authority over Michael and Gabriel and those angels they ruled. This would make Satan the ultimate authority in heaven, perhaps taking the place of God over the angels. If this trinity of archangels exited before the Fall, it may explain why a third of the angels fell with Satan (Revelation 12:4).
Govern heaven. Satan desired to "sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north" (Isaiah 14:13). The phrase "mount of the congregation" is an expression relating to ruling in the kingdom of God (Isaiah 2:1-4). Lucifer seemed to be saying, "I want a share in the kingdom." The problem was he wanted God’s share. The "north side" is a term relating to God’s presence in Scripture (Psalms 75:6-7). During the millennial reign of Christ, Christ will rule this earth from the north (Psalms 48:2).
Ascend above the heights. There can be no question that Satan was prepared to attempt a coup in heaven. His desire was not simply to get closer to God but to surpass God. "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds" (Isaiah 14:14). Clouds are often used to refer to the glory of God. In fact, 100 of the 150 uses of the word "cloud" in the King James Version have to do with divine glory. Satan sought glory for himself that surpassed the glory of God. Paul revealed the ultimate desire of Satan when he wrote, "who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God" (2 Thessalonians 2:4). Be like the Most High. When Abraham paid his tithes to Melchizedek, this priest "blessed him and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth" (Genesis 14:19). "The Most High" (El Elyom) means the possessor of heaven and earth, exercising divine authority in both spheres. When Jesus appeared to his disciples in Galilee after his death, he said, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28:18). Satan sought the authority of God for himself. By becoming the most high, Satan would be the possessor of heaven and earth. By ascending into heaven, he would rule angels and ultimately enjoy a messianic rule. This attempt to be like God is similar to Satan’s strategy today. All of Satan’s plans in the universe are counterfeit to God’s plans. One of the chief works of Satan today is imitating Christianity. He attempts to counterfeit all that God performs (see Chapter 36). The Christian needs to be certain he is not tricked into accepting a satanic counterfeit of God’s best for his life. THE CHARACTER OF SATAN The Bible describes the character of Satan in three ways. First, certain names or titles are ascribed to him which reflect his true nature. Second, his character describes his behavior. In the third place, Satan is described through his nature.
Names of Satan. Just as God uses his own names to reveal who he is and what is his nature, so God has revealed the nature of Satan through his name. Over thirty different names or titles are given to this sinful fallen angel. THE NAMES AND TITLES OF SATAN
1. Satan- Job 1:6 17. Prince of the power of the
2. Devil- Revelation 12:7 air- Ephesians 2:2 3. Apollyon- Revelation 9:11 18. Prince of this world
4. Beelzebub- Matthew 12:27 John 14:30 5. Belial- 2 Corinthians 6:15 19. God of this age- 2 Corinthians 4:4 6. Old serpent- Revelation 20:2 20. Dragon- Revelation 12:9 7. Adversary- 1 Peter 5:8 21. Beast out of the bottomless
8. Anointed cherub-Ezek. pit-- Revelation 11:7 28 22. Accuser of the brethren 9. Deceiver of the whole Revelation 12:10 world- Revelation 12:9 23. Angel of the bottomless
10. Evil one- John 17:15 pit-- Matthew 4:1 11. Leviathan- Isaiah 27:1 24. Angel of light- Matthew 4:1 12. Lucifer- Isaiah 14:12 25. Enemy- Matthew 13:39 13. Murderer- John 8:44 26. Father of lies- John 8:44 14. Roaring lion- 1 Peter 5:8 27. Liar- John 8:44 15. Son of the morning- 28. Prince of demons
Isaiah 14:12 Matthew 9:34 16. Wicked one- John 3:12 29. Man of sin- 2 Thessalonians 2:3
30. Thief- John 10:10
Satan’s subtle character. The Bible makes no effort to hide the craftiness of Satan. When false teachers and false apostles appeared in the church at Corinth, Paul wrote, "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14). The apostle acknowledged one of his purposes in writing a second epistle to the Corinthians was "lest Satan should get an advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices" (2 Corinthians 2:11). He further recognized the cunning and subtle character of Satan when he advised the Ephesians to "put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11).
Nature of Satan. It is the nature of a man that causes him to act as he does. The same principle exists as we try to better understand Satan. John identified the devil as the originator and chief practitioner of sin (1 John 3:8). He further described Satan as "that wicked one" (1 John 5:18). Jesus called Satan a liar (John 8:44) and thief (John 10:10). The evil acts of Satan are a natural expression of his evil nature. "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy" (John 10:10). The apostle Paul recognized the destructive nature of Satan when he wrote, "The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 Corinthians 4:4).
CONCLUSION The Bible teaches the existence of a personal devil, the author of sin, who tries to destroy the work of God today. When Christians see evidences of sin all around them, they need to think soberly of their enemy, recognizing the existence of a person seeking their destruction. Peter warns us even today, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Apart from total dependence upon God, we cannot win the victory over the devil.
DAILY READINGS Monday: John 8:30-51 Tuesday: Revelation 9:1-12 Wednesday: Job 1:1-22 Thursday: Job 2:1-10 Friday: Zechariah 3:1-10 Saturday: Ezekiel 28:1-19 Sunday: Isaiah 14:1-17